Kemi Sally leads the way at Glenlyon

Mixed packets of well dogged sheep at Glenlyon gave the nursery dogs every chance to show their abilities, but were typically none too easy to split at the shed. A covering of snow on the flat ground confused some of the most experienced handlers, making the cross drive gate hard to hit, for them.

Mosse Magnusson’s Kemi Sally (A Lehtio’s Kemi Rhys, DK Evans’ Meg) started out a little wide and overlapped her sheep at the top. The rest of the run went very well with just minor faults incurred over the piece and Sally earned first place with second and third hot on her heels.

Alistair MacKenzie’s Jess (SL Davidson’s Gillieglen Queen, C Davidson’s Cap) worked very well outbye, but had minor wavers on the fetch. The drive was very good until Alistair mistakenly thought the sheep were going to miss the cross drive gate, and flanked the dog. He managed to correct his error and Jess put the sheep through the gate, leaving a zig zag track in the snow to tell the tale.

Lotta Magnusson’s Liz (R Hutchinson’s Sweep, L Magnusson’s Kate) stopped a little short on her outrun, but had a good fetch. The cross drive was not so smooth, but god work at hand completed the run level on points with Jess, taking third place on outbye.

The mule hoggs at Walkerburn ran very well over a big, flat field, on a beautiful, sunny day, but they could gather sped on the fetch.

Ross Henderson’s Bill worked very well over the course, with good flowing lines and only very minor flaws, and although hesitancy at the shed threatened the good work, successful completeion of the job earned first place with a comfortable lead.

Bobby Dalziel’s Mack (I Fourney’s Spot, C Le Guelle’s Jeda) too, worked very well but went off lne on the fetch and missed the incoming gates, but good work achieved helped to balance that and he took second place.

The Blackface hoggs at Meikleholme were good to handle round the flat course for the tripartite, cross border challenge and proved good to pen and shed. Running in packets of five, they were consistently good all day, but tested the young dogs.

Gavin Fearon’s Dave (RP Watson’s Nid, RN Hoggarth’s Connie) ran out well, lifted the sheep at a good pace, fetched them down through the gates and turned them neatly round Gavin’s feet. He put the sheep away on a good good line up the first leg of the drive and safely through the gates. The cross drive went well, although the line was a little low, but Gavin and Dave worked well to get the sheep safely through the cross drive gates, dropping only minor points for the line. They had a good return leg back to the pen, finished with a good pen and shed, and earned first place for North Westmoreland and for themselves.

Billy Common’s Cowlow Rosie (GRN Saxon’s Cammen Rip, I Hulme’s Cowlow Fan) had a little difficulty in the outrun which proved to be the vital difference between first and second places. She fetched on a good line, put the sheep through the gates and a nice turn round the post led onto the drive. Rosie worked well on the first leg of the drive, kept a good line and the hoggs went through the gates. The line of the cross drive was good and again, the hoggs went safely through the cross drive gates and back to the pen. Another good pen and shed completed the run, in second place, a single point behind the leaders.

Meikleholm, Courance, Lockerbie, Cross Border challenge (Judge: R Dalziel, Ettrick) - Nursery bounce – 3 teams of 10 ran – 1, G Fearon’s Dave, Keswick, 86 (NWM); 2, JW Common’s Cowlow Rosie, Lockerbie, 85 (D&K); 3, A Stewart’s Kemi Ruby, Lockerbie, 83 (W); 4, D Aitken’s Tweeddale Buzz, Lockerbie, 78 (D&K); 5, J Mitchell’s Sweep, New Luce, 77 (W); 6, JW Common’s Jaff, Lockerbie,72 (D&K);

Border Cup Teams – 1, Wigtownshire, 588; 2, North Westmorland, 549; 3, Dumfries & Kirkcudbright, 527;

Glenlyon, Scots v Continentals challenge (Judge:AD Carnegie, Comrie ) – 2 teams of 6 ran – 1, M Magnusson’s Kemi Sally, Mid Derry, 91; 2, A MacKenzie’s Jess, Lochearnhead, 90 Outbye ; 3, L Magnusson’s Liz, Mid Derry, 90; 4, S Martin’s Lucy, Cashlie, 89; 5, P Martin’s Daisy, Glenlyon, 88; 6, E Nilsson’s Midderry Kid, Meigle, 85; 7, L Hinnekens’ Khal, Auchterarder, 79; 8, K Howlett’s Yellowhill Jock, Comrie, 78; 9, A Olofsson’s Mid Derry Craig, Blairlogie,76; 10, D Galbraith’s Craig, Comrie, 73; 11, R Lewis’ Ruby, Killin, 71; 12, M Lundin’s Mid Derry Sam, Blairgowrie,70; Continentals, 491; Scots, 489;

Walkerburn, Borders v Lanark, Lothan & Peebles (Judge: D Wallace, Blyrhbank) - Nursery bounce – 2 teams of 6 ran – 1, R Henderson’s Bill, Crawford, 90; 2, R Dalziel’s Mack, Ettrick, 85; 3, D Gilchrist’s Ted, Oxton, 84 Outbye; 4, GC Gardner’s Nan, Lesmahagow, 84; 5, I Fleming’s Kim, Douglas, 83; 6, RB Henderson’s Lad, Heriot, 82; 7, J Robinson’s Templehall Jack, Coldingham,71; Teams - LL&P - 454; Borders 421;

Nursery final teams

North

1, G Simpson’s Lad, Forgue, 51 /70; 2, G Simpson’s Gelert, Forgue, 48, 44, 37; 3, G Simpson’s Celt, Forgue; 4, J McKenzie’s Meg, Turriff; 5, I Wilkie’s Pip, Keithhall, 34; Res, G Simpson’s Elwy Rodger, Forgue, 36;

Central

1, M Magnusson’s Kemi Sally, Mid Derry, 56.5; 2, P Martin’s Daisy, Glenlyon, 50; 3, D Galbraith’s Craig, Comrie, 40; 4, E Nilsson’s Midderry Kid, Meigle, 38.5; 5, K Howlett’s Yellowhill Jock, Comrie, 38; Res, M Magnusson’s Sprout, Mid Derry, 32.5;

Lanark, Lothian & Peebles

1, RB Henderson’s Lad, Heriot, 51 /70; 2, J McRobert’s Bill, Tweedsmuir, 48; 3, GC Gardner’s Nan, Lesmahagow, 45; 4, R Henderson’s Bill, Crawford, 36; 5, I Fleming’s Kim, Douglas, 35; Res,J Hill’s Bill, Heriot, 34;

Borders

1, R Dalziel’s Mack, Ettrick, 62 /64; 2, M Arres’ Moss, Ashkirk, 41; 3, C Dickson’s Stuart, Coldingham, 38; 4, D Gilchrist’s Ted, Oxton,79; 7, A Dickman’s Jaff, Oxton,72; Res, J Robinson’s Templehall Jack, Coldingham,77;

Dumfries & Kirkcudbright

1, JW Common’s Cowlow Rosie, Lockerbie, 76; 2, D Robertson’s Moss, Langholm, 66; 3, JW Common’s Jaff, Lockerbie, 63; 4, D Robertson’s Lad, Langholm, 39; 5, M Forster’s Meg, Irongray, 36; Res, D McMillan's Fleet, Carsphairn, 36;

Wigtownshire

1, A Stewart’s Kemi Ruby, Lockerbie, 58 /80; 2, J Mitchell’s Paige, New Luce, 46; 3, D Mitchell’s Kate, Stranraer, 44; 4, I McMillan’s Straid Zac, Newton Stewart, 43; 5, S McCrindle’s Raine, Palnackie, 40; Res, I McMillan’s Dykecroft Fly, Newton Stewart, 28;

South Ayrshire

1, I Fergie's Craig, Straiton, 46 /60; 2, A McCulloch’s Meg, Dalmellington, 37; 3, JR Welsh’s Sweep, Dalrymple, 36; 4, A McCulloch’s Sam, Dalmellington, 29; 5, W Welsh’s Chance (Chase), Dalcairney, 27; Res, N Gillon’s Kinloch Rheed, Dailly, 26;

North Ayrshire - 1, L Gast’s Ben, Scalpsie, 31; 2, N McVicar’s Bill, Benmore, 30; 3, C Toner’s Tami, Drimsynie, 30; 4, I Lockhart's Joe, Carsphairn, 26; 5, N Docherty’s Spot, Bute, 26; Res, C Cropper’s Rhydale Paddy, Drimsynie, 26;

Arran & Kintyre

1, J MacKillop's Zac, Fort Augustus; 2, J MacKillop's Straid Ben, Fort Augustus; 3, 4, A McCuish’s Roy, Skipness; 5, M MacNally's Ash, Invergarry; Res, M MacNally's Raja, Invergarry.

Sandy McCulloch’s Meg led the way at the first of two trials in one day at Craigengillan, with kennelmate Sam in second place, ahead of equally pointed, third placed Jock Welsh’s Sweep, on outbye work.

The Blackface hoggs were good to manage, but could be testing at the pen and were inclined to burst, if pushed. The course was set on a flat, snow covered field, with two small clumps of trees, one on the left near the cross drive, the other on the right, at the top of the field. There were puddles underfoot on the fetch and snow showers overhead.

Meg (D McCauley’s Joe, JP McAlisters Rose) ran out well, and although she pulled up short and lifted slowly, she went on to make a good fetch and had a good start to the drive, but the line across wavered. Despite that, the hoggs went through the gates, and an excellent finish completed the winning run.

Sam (A Lehtio’s Coel, BJ Bowen’s Pat) ran out and lifted cleanly, and had just a slight deviation on his way to the fetch gates. Despite that, he put the sheep through and made a good finish to the fetch, but the line fell low on the cross drive. Breaks at the pen and hesitation at shed put an early lead into second place, on outbye, from Jock Welsh’s Sweep.

Sweep’s (J Connolly’s Craig and Mist) outrun was very slightly short, but he lifted cleanly and had the best fetch of the day. Wayward lines on the drive and breaks at the pen, followed by a good shed, put the run into third place.

In the second trial, Ian Fergie’s Craig earned a narrow lead, on outbye work.

Craig (M McTeir’s Bob, A Sim’s Flo) got off to a clean start, followed by an excellent fetch. He kept a clean line on the first leg of drive, and although the hoggs wavered off line on the cross drive, the return leg was good. The pen was clean, but problems getting two sheep to lead off at the shed doubled the points already dropped, threatening his chance of victory, but his clean start secured success.

Again, Sandy and Sam were in close contention for first place. Sam was slightly short and lifted off line, putting the sheep off line for the fetch, but he hit his gates and the hoggs made a good turn round Sandy’s feet. The drive was good, with only slight wavers, putting Sam in line for victory, but a minor loss at the shed tied the lead, until outbye work decided their second runner’s up award of the day.

On a fine day at Walkerburn, the mule ewe hoggs generally behaved well on the big, flat field, but tended to drift to one side on the fetch and proved hard to drive away on the first leg of the drive.

Bobby Henderson’s Lad (J Hill’s Ban, P Holberg’s Tess) ran out well, but was a little harsh in his lift. From there, he fetched very well, but, as for others, the hoggs ran to and fro on the drive away before they went through the gate and across the course. A good pen and shed completed the run in first place, with a comfortable margin behind it.

Joe McRobert’s Bill (DJ Irvine’s Bob, D MacAuley’s Nan) worked very well on the course, but, as the hoggs went through the cross drive gate, Bill took a wrong flank and split the sheep in an untidy move. The pen was good, but Bill split the sheep at the shed, before completing the correct operation and took second place.

Craigengillan I (Judge: F Shennan, Barr) Nursery – 12 ran – 1, A McCulloch’s Meg,

Dalmellington, 82; 2, A McCulloch’s Sam, Dalmellington, 80; 3, JR Welsh’s Sweep, Dalrymple, 80; 4, W Welsh’s Chance (Chase), Dalcairney,76; 5, I Fergie's Craig, Straiton, 57; 6, N Gillon’s Kinloch Rheed, Dailly, 55;

Craigengillan II (Judge: B Welsh, Moniave) Nursery – 12 ran – 1, I Fergie's Craig, Straiton, 86 Outbye; 2, A McCulloch’s Sam, Dalmellington, 86; 3, A McCulloch’s Meg, Dalmellington, 85; 4, JR Welsh’s Sweep, Dalrymple, 82; 5, N Gillon’s Kinloch Rheed, Dailly,76; 6, W Welsh’s Chance (Chase), Dalcairney,64;

Walkerburn (Judge: E Gray, Fallowlees) Nursery –18 ran – 1, RB Henderson’s Lad, Heriot, 78; 2, J McRobert’s Bill, Tweedsmuir, 71; 3, R Henderson’s Bill, Crawford, 68; 4, GC Gardner’s Nan, Lesmahagow, 67; 5, I Fleming’s Kim, Douglas, 66; 6, S Morgan’s Tess, West Linton, 55; 7, J Hill’s Bill, Heriot, 52; 8, D Smith’s Ross, Lanark, 46; Novice -1, K Aitchison's Beth, Mossdale, 82; 2, N Shaw’s Jess, Selkirk, 70; 3, K Blackwood’s Jill, Abington, 52;

Springfield, Arran (Judge: W McConnell, Whiting Bay) Nursery I – 10 ran –1, G Brooke’s Maid, Southpark, 67; Local -1, G Brooke’s Cap, Southpark, 82; 2, N McMaster’s Gail, Bennan, 81; 3, N McMaster’s Liz, Bennan,70; Nursery II – 1, N McMaster’s Gail, Bennan, 81;

Birchburn, Arran (Judge: N Henderson, Shiskin) Nursery I – 9 ran - 1, W Stevenson’s Maid, Whiting Bay, 69; Local -1, N McMaster’s Liz, Bennan,70; 2, M McNeish’s Pip, Craigview, 67; 3, L Robertson’s Jim, Machrie, 60; Novice – 1, D Currie jnr’s Meg, Shiskin, 48; Nursery II – W Stevenson’s Maid, Whiting Bay, 87.